Ride for the Bear to assist children with special needs

Stephanie Buckner

Published 9:31 am, Wednesday, April 1, 2015

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Fifteen-year-old Lindsay McMillan’s passing inspired her mother to form the nonprofit organization known as The Lindsay Foundation, which serves to help with medical expenses and costs of needs not covered by insurance. less

Fifteen-year-old Lindsay McMillan’s passing inspired her mother to form the nonprofit organization known as The Lindsay Foundation, which serves to help with medical expenses and costs of needs not covered by ... more

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Ride for the Bear to assist children with special needs

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Plum Grove resident Laurie McMillan lost her daughter in 1999.

Shortly after, she chose to give her devastating loss a lasting meaning. In an effort to turn her personal heartbreak into help for others who may find themselves in a similar situation, she created The Lindsay Foundation.

The primary goal of the nonprofit organization is to assist families with the resources necessary to provide medical treatment, necessary therapy and rehabilitation equipment that is not commonly covered by most insurance providers.

“When Lindsay passed away she was 15 years old, and Laurie said that all of this couldn’t have happened for no reason,” Helen McMillan, Lindsay’s grandmother, said. “These families that we help fight so many battles that they just get tired of fighting. It has been a blessing that we have been able to help these families.”

Helen has been involved since the beginning of the foundation and says that this is their way of keeping Lindsay alive.

“This really just started out as a mother’s sanity and she had to turn those energies into something,” said Helen.

Each year, beginning in 2004, the The Lindsay Foundation has hosted a springtime event known as ‘Ride for the Bear.’ This year’s event is set for April 11.

The event is a one-day motorcycle ride that is set to begin in Kingwood and end in Conroe, where those present will be treated to a lunch, served by Catfish On Wheels, as well as entertainment provided by Duck Dynasty impersonators.

This marks the second year the impersonators, who Helen referred to as “ a big hit” will be providing entertainment for the event.

The ride has become a popular event in the area, gaining participants each year.

All proceeds from the ‘Ride for the Bear’ event go directly toward the foundation and will be used to benefit children with special needs.

According to Helen, a recent audit determined that 97 cents out of every single dollar donated goes directly toward the cause.

“It’s something that we really strive for,” said Helen. “We get no grants and we raise every penny that we spend.”

The Lindsay Foundation is funded solely by events and donations. All work within the foundation is done by volunteers and the foundation is always eager to recruit new volunteers.

“We don’t discriminate against disabilities,” Helen said. “People always ask us what Lindsay’s condition was and we try not to focus on that. We also try to impress on people that this is in memory of Lindsay, not for her.”

The ‘Ride for the Bear’ event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 11. Registration begins at 8 a.m., with kickstands up at 9 a.m.

The entry price for bike and rider is $35 and the cost per passenger is $25. Pre-registered riders will also receive a ‘Ride for the Bear’ patch and T-shirt.

For additional information on the event or the organization, or to register, visit lindsayfoundation.org, email helpforachild@lindsayfoundation.org or call Helen or Laurie at 281-399-2937.

Anyone can also contact the foundation if they have any information on local children who may be in need.